Rape case accused Goa MLA's police custody extended

Panaji, May 12: A local court on Thursday, May 12 extended by four days the police custody of Goa MLA Atanasio Monserrate, accused of 'buying' a minor girl and repeatedly raping her.

The court also extended the custody of the girl's mother by a similar duration.The woman is accused of selling her minor daughter to Monserrate in March through an alleged pimp Rosy Ferros, who too has been arrested.

Monserrate, a former minister, was arrested on May 5 on charges of drugging and raping the girl after buying her for Rs.50 lakh from Ferros.

All three are currently in Crime Branch custody, while the girl is housed in a children's home.

Monserrate was elected to the assembly on a Congress ticket in 2012, but sacked after he allegedly started hobnobbing with the BJP leadership. He is presently an unattached MLA.